The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
ACADEMICS COME FIRST
Students hear about importance of education from college athletes
Third-, fourth- and fifth-grade boys at Stevan Dohanos Elementary School in Lorain listened to college athletes talk about the importance of academics.
One of the speakers, Duke University wrestler Kaden Russell, who graduated from St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland, said academics should be prioritized over sports or any extracurricular activity.
“I always loved sports, but academics came first in my family,” Russell said. “Bad grades meant I couldn’t go to practice, which I loved to do.”
He said he wanted to treat school like he did sports.
“Sports have you always wanting to be the best, to beat the person on the other side,” Russell said. “That’s the same approach I decided to take to
“Sports don’t last your whole life, but what you learn in school will always be there.”
— Duke University wrestler Kaden Russell, a St. Ignatius graduate
academics; I want to be the smartest kid and get the best grades possible.
“Sports don’t last your whole life, but what you learn in school will always be there. An education will be able to help you throughout your entire life.”
Nathan Nunez, football player at Dartmouth College and graduate of Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst, said good grades get people over the top.
“I had a lot of players on the football field who were better than I was, but they did not get the chance to play at the next level because their grades were not good enough,” Nunez said.
He said it’s important to surround yourself with the right people.
“Have good influences around you,” Nunez said. “Be with people that prioritize studying over partying.
“Don’t fall in with the wrong crowd. Don’t give up on yourself. You can be as good as you want to be.”
Steve Cisneros, senior vice president of HudBella Government Affairs, has spent a number of years mentoring student athletes.
“It’s important to take care of yourself,” Cisneros said. “Be a little selfish, don’t let a bad influence bring you down.
“Do the best you can in school and don’t be around those who will prevent you from doing that. Walk these halls with pride; you are who you believe you are.”